A Tottenham Hotspur player caught fans off guard with his standout performance in a friendly match against Hearts.
Ange Postecoglou’s pre-season campaign is well underway, with Tottenham securing two impressive victories against smaller teams.
Last week, Tottenham triumphed over Cambridge United 7-2 in a closed-door friendly. On Wednesday night, they achieved a remarkable 5-1 win against Hearts at Tynecastle Park.
While several Spurs players shone in Scotland, one player’s performance, in particular, might have resurrected his Tottenham career.
Djed Spence excels for Tottenham against Hearts
Tottenham acquired Djed Spence from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2022 in a deal worth up to £20 million (Sky Sports).
At the time, Spence was considered an excellent signing, with Tottenham beating out numerous top clubs to secure him.
However, under Antonio Conte, Spence struggled to find playing time, making just six senior appearances for the North London club.
After a successful loan stint in Italy last season, a permanent move to Genoa seemed imminent, especially with an option to buy. But after that transfer fell through, Spence returned to Tottenham and was given a chance by Postecoglou against Hearts.
The 23-year-old, described as ‘unbelievable’, delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a goal and providing an assist in the second half, while also showing solid defensive skills.
TBR Football awarded Spence a perfect 10/10 rating for his performance, which might have salvaged his Tottenham career.
Initially expected to be sold this summer, Spence’s impressive display has given Postecoglou something to consider, possibly leading to him staying with the team.
Spence proves his worth over another Tottenham player
Tottenham’s win against Hearts was hard-fought, with the Scottish side putting up a strong challenge. Brandon Austin made an excellent save in goal, although Hearts scored in the 46th minute due to a mistake by Emerson Royal. The Brazilian defender has had a few slip-ups during his time at Spurs.
Emerson has expressed his dissatisfaction at Tottenham and is likely to be sold soon.
This situation could provide Spence with an opportunity to secure his place in the squad. If he continues to perform well in pre-season, Postecoglou might decide to retain him, potentially saving Tottenham millions by not having to sign a new right-back to replace Emerson.
